Lancaster born; oldest son in a Mennonite family running a nursery and wholesale flower business; Ph.D. student at Penn State; post-grad at Harvard; chief operations officer of the Victor F. Weaver multi-state poultry and food processing company; senior vice president within High Industries, Inc., (with revenues tripling in seven years); founder of a most successful Internet Service Provider with near-exponential expansion (280% in 15 months)—then sold and merged; VP in the expanded merger company; educational visionary (U.S. & overseas); administrator and professor in Business Dept. at Goshen, EMU and JMU; President of A Better Hospitality Co. (owning Hampton Inn in Woodstock, VA); current advisory member of Dynamic Aviation; present and past member of 55 corporate and community boards. Such reads the abbreviated staccato narrative of Allon H. Lefever.

Had the writer of Ecclesiastes known Allon when he placed in rhythmic order the countervailing seasons of life, he would surely have added: “A time to buy and a time to sell; a time to procure and time to dispense; a time to manage and a time to leave management to others; a time to learn and a time to lead.” How can an oldest son be sufficiently detached from an inherited family business to leave it just as on the distant horizon gathered the storm clouds of globalization making the business competitively obsolete? Who but a Lefever (still at a young age) turns down the position of CEO in a leading bank? (Banking is too institutionalized; its operations too restrictive?) A “dropped out Ph.D.”; not a Ph.D. drop-out. (Writing a dissertation just didn’t create sufficient adrenalin.) Who is this Menno who thrives in a ballet performance of sustained growth and venture acquisitions? Yet, if monetary assets could grow on trees (as it would sometimes appear), Allon would not own the largest orchard; he would seek to nurture the most disease-free trees.

Mennonite in practice; Anabaptist in confession. If you are a business entrepreneur or wish to become one, or are attracted to venture capitalism, don’t miss this story. Are assets gained in the vicissitudes of the financial market as “Anabaptist” as those earned by the toil of one’s hands? Here is an account of uncanny career moves, of smart productivity, of prudent financial accruements and dispersals. Was it luck? Extraordinary insight? The leading of the Holy Spirit? —Prudence or Providence?

Join us Monday at 7:30. If you wish to eat a full breakfast please go through the cafeteria line, then bring your food to the West Dining Room. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Please share this announcement with your friends and others interested in Allon’s life and times—extraordinary commitment to both church and business. Exemplary courage. Next month’s presenter and story-teller is Peggy Shenk—quiet leader, rudder of the ship.